The Star Wars Canon Dispatch: August 2016

Welcome to The Star Wars Canon Dispatch, an unofficial monthly contextual look at the recent and upcoming releases in Star Wars storytelling. The last four weeks of Star Wars have been full of news and excitement, but not much has been released in terms of consumable stories. On the heels of Star Wars: Aftermath: Life Debt, the influx of stories slowed a bit. However, several new Star Wars stories are on the horizon.

Time Frame: Between Episode IV: A New Hope and Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back, following the events of Darth Vader, Issue #022.

Canon Influence: This story continues to transition Darth Vader from the Emperor’s enforcer lead by Grand Moff Tarken and others, to the leader of an entire Imperial armada in Empire Strikes Back. The villain of this story arc, Dr. Cylo, reveals the power he has over Darth Vader.

Companion Stories:Darth Vader, Issues #020-#022 are essential reads, but if you want the complete story, look back to the entire Darth Vader series, including the Annual and the issues crossed over into Star Wars (#013 & #014). For those who want to go even further, read Star Wars, Issues #001-#019, which parallel this series and can provide extra depth.

Star Wars, Issue #021: The Last Flight of the Harbinger, Part IJason Aaron, writer / Jorge Molina, artist
Comic Book by Marvel Comics
July 20, 2016

Time Frame: Between Episode IV: A New Hope and Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back, following the events of Star Wars, Issue #019.

Canon Influence: This issue, told from the perspective of the Empire, introduces us to a small squad of specialty Stormtroopers, further adding to the diversity that is sometimes lacking from the Empire’s on-screen appearance. The story also reinforces how rare Jedi artifacts, such as a lightsaber, are to the average galactic citizen.

Companion Stories: This story has a life of its own, but one of its characters has his origins in the Star Wars comic arc “Showdown on the Smugglers’ Moon” (Issues #008-#012).

Canon Influence: This issue serves as a fun retelling of the events of the movie, however there is only one page that draws a connection beyond itself. When Ray says “You’re Han Solo?” and Han responds “I used to be” we see flashes of Han’s heroic acts which include (1) him on a tauntaun on Hoth, (2) running away from the exploding shield generator on Endor and (3) the liberation of Kashyyyk from Aftermath: Life Debt.

Companion Stories: Aside from its previous issue, as long as you are familiar with the film, this comic will read well. However, if you are not familiar with the film, the comic may seem a bit rushed or disjointed.

Time Frame: Between Episode IV: A New Hope and Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back, following the events of Darth Vader, Issue #023.

Canon Influence: In this issue of Darth Vader, we see Vader destroy any piece of Anakin Skywalker that remains. This is a critical turning point for Vader’s character that helps define who he is in The Empire Strike Back and Return of the Jedi as well as retroactively defining his ongoing struggle that we see in previous media.

Companion Stories:Darth Vader, Issues #020-#023 are essential reads. Given the context of this story, the season finale of Star Wars Rebel’s season 2, which takes place well before this issue, may provide some added depth.

Know Before You Read: These comic stories take place during the timeframe of Star Wars Rebels and stand on their own, with no real knowledge needed to enjoy them, beyond knowing who the characters of Rebels are. I do not believe they will be an essential read unless you are a completionist.

Know Before You Read: Taking place prior to the events of Episode VII: The Force Awakens, Poe is on a mission: to find Lor San Tekka. You can prepare yourself by reading Issues #001-#004, while context from Poe’s story in Before the Awakening could provide some added depth to your reading of this issue. For a complete look, you can go back to Star Wars Issues #008-#012 which is the first canon appearance of the non-Imperial antagonist in this story arc.

Know Before You Read: This continues the retelling of Episode VII: The Force Awakens in comic book form. Having seen the film prior to reading this issue will provide added context to the story and art.

Star Wars, Issue #022: The Last Flight of the Harbinger, Part IIJason Aaron, writer / Jorge Molina, artist
Comic Book by Marvel Comics
August 24, 2016

Know Before You Read: Taking place between Episode IV: A New Hope and Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back, we expect this story to stand on its own given the way the previous issue ended. For added depth, check out Star Wars Issues #008-#012, and #021.

Know Before You Read: This was revealed as a tie-in to Aftermath: Life Debt, taking place after Episode VI: Return of the Jedi. The mentions of Kuat that I’ve found are in Chapter 6, 12, 25, and 31, so perhaps skimming of those chapters would be useful. Also beneficial would be going back and reacquainting yourself with the characters from the previous three “Blade Squadron” short stories (Insider #149, #150, #160). The first two are available on starwars.com (Part I and Part II).

Know Before You Read: Taking place between Episode IV: A New Hope and Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back, not much more context is needed beyond Issues #001 and #002. Han Solo has found himself “undercover” in the starship race the Dragon Void Run, with a mission to collect rebel spies who have been hidden inside the Empire, but are now in danger. Han himself has to deal with some… Imperial Entanglements.

Know Before You Read: This is yet another retelling of the events of Episode VII: The Force Awakens, but this time, from the perspective of Finn. Context from Finn’s story in Before the Awakening could provide some added depth to your reading of this book. This could be a quick, fun read, though only recommended for the younger audience and the completionist out there.